Vol. 11, No. 1, University of Judaism News, 1959

UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM
west coast branch of the Jewish theological seminary of america
6525 sunset Blvd., los angeles 28, California, Hollywood 3-1161
N E W S
September, 1959
Volume 11, No. 1
SAMUEL A FRYER
UNIVERSITY HONORS SAMUEL FRYER
Dr. Simon Greenberg, University president, and Samuel A. Fryer
stand alongside plaque placed March 8 on front of the University
of Judaism, signifying that the building has been named for the
noted philanthropist. At a testimonial dinner in Fryers honor later
that evening, Dr. Greenberg said that "Fryer's munificent gifts to
the University and other institutions of higher learning have set
him in the company of those philanthropists extraordinary to whom
mankind remains forever indebted."
CLASSROOMS AIR-CONDITIONED BY SAMUEL FRYER
AWAIT UNIV. STUDENTS SEPT. 21 FOR FALL TERM
Thanks to the generosity of Samuel
A. Fryer, the air-conditioning of class-rooms,
library and auditorium have
been completed in the Fryer Building
of the University in time for opening
of the Fall term on Sept. 21, with
registration slated for Sept. 14-17.
Dr. Samuel Dinin, dean, noted that
the academic center will begin its
13th year of service to the community
with the majority of classes held in
its ten-story building at 6525 Sunset
Blvd.
At the same time, a minimum en-rollment
of 1,000 students is ex-pected
for the Fall term by Rabbi
Vorspan, registrar, and Mrs. Irwin A.
Reiss, associate registrar.
Among the more than 80 classes to
be featured during the new semester
will be a variety of "popular" courses
for adults each Monday and Wednes-day
evening and Tuesday and Thurs-day
morning.
The curriculum will range from
Bible, Talmud, Yiddish, Hebrew and
Jewish history to current events,
philosophy, literature, group work,
music, drama, dance, arts and crafts.
HADASSAH classes for the Beverly
Hills chapter will be held Monday
afternoons in the new Sinai Temple,
10400 Wilshire Blvd., and for the
L. A. chapter each Wednesday morn-ing
in Temple Beth Am, 1027 S. La
Cienega Blvd.
NATIONAL WOMEN'S LEAGUE
of the United Synagogue will hold
sessions each Thursday morning in
the University, while extension classes
will meet in the VALLEY JEWISH
FALL TERM OPENS
MONDAY, SEPT. 21
REGISTRATION
Sept. 14 and 16
7 to 10 p.m.
and
Sept. 15 and 17
9 a.m. to noon
in the University
6525 Sunset Blvd.
FOR CURRICULUM
and information
CALL HO. 3-1161
COMMUNITY CENTER on Tuesday
mornings and evenings.
Other divisions of the University
will also open this month.
THE INSTITUTE OF JEWISH
COMMUNAL SERVICE, with Louis
Shub as director, will begin its fifth
year of training young people, aged
15 to 18, as future camp counsel-lors
and club leaders.
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE,
led by Dr. David Lieber as dean of
students, will help meet the urgent
need for Jewish weekday school in-structors.
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, with
Dr. Jacob Kohn as dean, will feature
courses leading to degrees in philos-ophy,
Hebrew literature, Jewish the-ology
and religious education.
(See page four for information on
new Theatre Workshop.)
$2,500,000 ENDOWMENT FUND IS
NEEDED FOR UNIV. DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Simon Greenberg, president of the University of Judaism,
opened "Volume Two" of its growth as West Coast branch of the
Jewish Theological Seminary by calling for a new development
program which will include a $2,500,000 endowment fund.
In an address to key officials and supporters at the July 16
dinner meeting in the Beverly Hilton, Dr. Greenberg pointed out
that the University is now twelve
years old and entering the "Bar
Mitzvah" or "Coming of Age" phase
of its development.
"Volume One' of the academic
center began, he said, when it was
founded in 1947 and housed in a
portion of the old Sinai Temple. Also
covered in the initial history are the
years of careful preparation, explora-tion
and experimentation in our
second home on Ardmore Ave. and
the move in 1957 to the present ten-story
building on Sunset Blvd.
"Now we start on our second vol-ume,
which shall be the story of a
spiritual superstructure," he said.
Growing Community Acceptance
Dr. Greenberg noted that the thou-sands
of students who have come
to the University and the many
friends who have made its work pos-sible
"give us the assurance that we
are filling not only a need that exists
but one whose presence and urgency
is being understood by the commun-ity
in ever-increasing number.
In calling for a minimum $2,500,000
endowment fund, he stressed that
"we must think in terms of an op-erating
budget of approximately
$300,000 a year, and if the Uni-versity
is to be grounded solidly it
must have at least 30 to 35 per cent
of its income from endowments."
(More about dinner on page 3.)
NEWLY-ELECTED Lewis E. Pen-nish,
executive committee chairman,
chats with Milton Sperling, chairman
of board of overseers. (See page 3.)
GOAL OF UNIVERSITY
"A University is not only a
channel for the transmission of
the past; it is the meeting ground
of scholars, poets, artists and
men of affairs whose concern is
the totality of life and in the
crucible of whose thoughts are
forged the new insight, ideals,
codes, goals and aspirations of
the future.
"This is what the University
of Judaism is determined to be
and with God's help, shall."
—Dr. Simon Greenberg,
LAUNCH HISTORY PROJECT - Working on history of the Los Angeles
Jewish community arc historian Dr. Allan Nevins, Justin G. Turner, chair-man
of University's board of governors; Dr. Moshe Davis, provost of the
Seminary, and Rabbi Max Vorspan, registrar. (Details on page 4.)
• Page 2 UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM NEWS September, 1959
UNIVERSITY GRADUATES LARGEST CLASS AT JUNE 23 CEREMONIES
PRINCIPALS at June 23 commencement exercises included (seated from
left) Milton Sperling, Mrs. Norman Chandler, Dr. Simon Greenberg,
Dr. Joseph Kaplan, Mrs. Mildred Allenberg and Dr. Samuel Dinin, plus
(standing from left) Justin G. Turner, Dr. Jacob Kohn, Harry Maizlish,
Lewis E. Pennish, Matthew Berman, Mrs. Irwin A. Reiss and Ely Elias.
HONOR MRS. NORMAN CHANDLER, DR. JOSEPH
KAPLAN, MILDRED ALLENBERG AND ELY ELIAS
TEACHERS INSTITUTE graduates includes (top row from left) Ehud
Gilad, Ezra Cohen-Sitt, Joshua Bergman, Asher Goldberger and Abraham
Lifshitz, with Dr. Samuel Dinin, University dean, at right. Seated from
left are Dr. David Lieber, dean of students for the Teachers Institute,
and graduates Ciporah Berger, Ora Ksienski, Deborah Lea Bufman,
Sonya Abramowitz and Judith Esh. Not in photo are T.I. graduates
Eve BeTinuii, Leo Kreinger and Mordecai Shamir. r- r
* * «• t 4 *
CLASS PHOTO for the University's Institute of Jewish Studies includes
(standing from left) Rabbi Max Vorspan, registrar, with graduates Leonard
Kratish, Max Pavin, Sylvia Karp, Pauline Ledeen, Betty Margolis, Robert
Arnold, and Louis Shub, school librarian and director of its Institute of
Jewish Communal Service. Seated from left are Sylvia Bazes, Sara Ruben,
Rose Goldhaar, Bernice Birnbaum, Sarah Friend and Adrienne Slater.
Not in photo are Estelle Nadler, Howard Small, Marty Cooper, Jane
Galvan and Byron Kohn, who also received diplomas.
The University of Judaism last
June 23 brought together nationally-known
leaders in education, religion,
journalism, science and the arts for
the academic center's most impressive
commencement exercises (luring its
12-year history as West Coast branch
of the Jewish Theological Seminary
of America.
At the same time, Dr. Simon
Greenberg, president, conferred de-grees
and diplomas on 31 students
who comprise the University's ninth
and largest graduating class to date.
They were presented by Dr. Samuel
Dinin, dean, while Milton Sperling,
chairman of the University's board of
overseers, was chairman of the eve-ning.
The ceremonies were held in the
University auditorium, where Rabbi
Greenberg conferred honorary doctor
of human letter degrees on Mrs.
Norman Chandler, noted community
leader and director of public service
for the Times-Mirror Co., and on
Dr. Joseph Kaplan, chairman of the
United States committee for the In-ternational
Geophysical Year and
UCLA professor of physics and geo-physics.
In addition, distinguished service
awards were presented to Mrs. Mil-dred
Allenberg, University vice-chair-man,
and Ely Elias, its financial sec-retary.
Harry Maizlish, recording secretary,
acted as marshal! for the commence-ment
ceremonies, and was chairman
of the commencement dinner and
program.
Also featured
was the presenta-tion
of a degree
of Doctor of He-brew
Letters to
Joseph Salomon
of the Graduate
School, who for
many years has
b e e n b o t h a
teacher of He-brew
and a schol-ar
at the Uni-
SALOMON
versity.
Mrs. Chandler's citation was pre-sented
by Maizlish, while her spon-sors
were Justin G. Turner, chairman
of the board of governors, and Dr.
Jacob Kohn, dean of the Graduate
School. Dr. Kaplan was presented by
Lewis E. Pennish, executive commit-tee
chairman, and sponsored by Mrs.
Irwin A. Reiss, associate registrar, and
Matthew Berman, vice-chairman.
Rabbi Max Vorspan, school regis-trar,
presented Elias, and Mrs. Allen-berg
was presented by Dr. Dinin.
Original music composed especially
for the occasion by Dimitri Tiomkin
and Paul Francis Webster was di-rected
by Johnny Green. The program
opened with the invocation by Rabbi
Ben Zion Bergman and closed with
the singing of "Adon Olam," led by
Maurice Goldman.
September, 1959 UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM NEWS Page 3
VICE-CHAIRMEN on the University board include Matthew Berman,
Ben Swig of San Francisco, Ben Platt and Theodore Strimling.
KEY OFFICIALS include Dore Schary, honorary chairman; Isadore
Familian, vice-chairman; Isadore Levine, treasurer; Cyrus Levinthal, sec-retary;
Charles Brown and Julius Fligelman, who helped found the Univ.
UNIVERSITY'S NEW BOARD OF OVERSEERS LED BY
MILTON SPERLING, LEWIS E. PENNISH, DORY SCHARY
Los Angeles' top Jewish leaders are
included in the impressive slate
elected to the University of Judaism's
board of overseers at the July 16th
annual dinner meeting in the Beverly
Hilton.
Milton Sperling will be chairman
for a seventh term, aided by Lewis
E. Pennish as the next executive com-mittee
chairman, while Dore Schary
was returned as honorary chairman.
Justin G. Turner remains as chairman
of the board of governors.
Matthew Berman was newly-elected
as vice-chairman of the board
of overseers. His fellow vice-chair-men
are Mrs. Mildred Allenberg, Isa-dore
Familian, Ben Platt, Theodore
Strimling, Ben Swig of San Fran-cisco
and Mrs. Maurice Turner.
Other officials are Cyrus Levinthal,
secretary; Isadore Levine, treasurer;
Harry Maizlish, recording secretary;
Ely Elias, financial secretary, and
Maury Leibovitz, associate treasurer,
of the University.
Herman Brickman and Benjamin
Seewack are new members of the
executive committee, which includes
Charles Brown, Julius Fligelman,
Harry Friedman, Samuel Fryer, Harry
Jaffe, Hyman Kaplan, Ben J. Lax,
Milan Roven, Louis B. Silver, Abra-ham
Spiegel, Arthur N. Whizin, Allen
Ziegler and Harold Ziff.
Newly elected to the University's
board of overseers were John Biren,
Joseph J. Cummins, Nat Lazar, Moe
Kudler, Herbert Glaser and Mrs.
Anna Gourrich.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE members include Benjamin Seewack, newly-elected;
Harry Friedman, Ben Lax, Louis B. Silver, Arthur Whizin and
Allen Zeigler. (Photos of our members were not available at press time.)
Mourn Passing of Hyman Levine & Irwin Reiss
The University's board of over-seers
marks with deep sorrow the
July 6 passing of Mr. Hyman Le-vine,
76, and the passing on Aug.
18 of Mr. Irwin A. Reiss.
Mr. Reiss was a fellow board
member since the University's in-ception
and the beloved husband
of our associate registrar, Ayola
Reiss, while Mr. Levine was the
dear father of our treasurer, Isa-dore
Levine, and a leader of many
institutions and philanthropies.
He was also a benefactor of the
University and, through the Hy-man
Levine Family Foundation,
had donated a classroom to our
new building before his illness.
DR. MOSHE DAVIS NAMES
"CRITICAL DEFICITS"
A surprise guest speaker at the
annual dinner was Dr. Moshe Davis,
provost of the Seminary, who came
from New York to address the B'nai
B'rith regional convention.
Pointing out that "lack of teachers
and leadership in the American Jew-ish
community is one of its most
critical deficits," Dr. Davis said that
"this is a crisis which can only be
met through the training made pos-sible
by institutions like the Uni-versity
of Judaism."
DR. SAMUEL OININ LECTURES
AT SEMINARY IN NEW YORK
The shortage of teachers was also
emphasized at the board meeting
with the observation that, for years,
the Seminary has sent key faculty
members as guest lecturers to the
University — but this summer the
trend was reversed when the special
knowledge of our dean, Dr. Samuel
Dinin, was much needed in the East.
All during July, Dr. Dinin taught
a seminar in the "Curriculum of the
Jewish School" at the Seminary's
Teachers Institute for principals and
educational directors from all over
the country.
At the same time, Dr. Dinin visited
Ramah camps in the East to observe
and evaluate the educational pro-grams,
which are under the super-vision
of the Seminary's Teachers In-stitute
and the University of Judaism.
MEET SAUL RUBIN
Appointment of Saul Rubin, 38, as
director of the University's new de-velopment
program was announced
by Dr. Simon Greenberg at the
board's annual dinner meeting.
The grandson
of Chaim Behr
Avrum Levine,
late Chasidic
Rabbi of Vilna,
Rubin was born
in New York City
and graduated
with honors from
William and Mary
College, where he
was a l s o t h e
Southern conference intercollegiate
diving champion.
During World War II, he served in
the Air Force as lead combat naviga-tor
for three years. Wounded on his
45th mission, he won five battle stars,
the Air Medal with seven oak leaf
clusters, the Distinguished Flying
Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Sil-ver
Star for "gallantry in action."
Prior to his newest affiliation, Rubin
was a radio writer and vice-president
of the public relations and fund-raising
counselling firm, Synagogue
Services of America, and had person-ally
conducted over 80 campaigns for
synagogues, Jewish centers, Yeshivas
and hospitals throughout the United
States and Canada.
'U" ATHLETIC CLUB SWIMMERS NAT'L CHAMPIONS
NEW OFFICIALS include Herman Brickman, executive committee, and
board members John Biren, Moe Kudler, Herbert Glaser and Joseph ].
Cummins, publisher of the B'nai B'rith Messenger.
CHAMPIONS ALL - From left are
Misses Sidney Wallin, Barbara Burke,
Joanne Shaack, Mary Ellerman and
All American Betty Vickers.
The adjoining lovely members of
our University Athletic Club now
hold the United States Championship
in the American National Outdoor
Synchronized Swimming meet held
Aug. 8 in Detroit.
Betty Vickers, All American, took
first place in both stunt and solo
competition and the team, coached
by Mrs. Lillian MacKeller, has been
selected to represent the U. S. in the
coming Pan American Games, with
Mrs. MacKeller as the official coach
for the games.
CLUB OPEN TO PUBLIC
The famed health-building facili-ties
of our Athletic Club are now
available to the public at new low
rates. An exclusive family plan en-titles
privileges to wives and children
without extra charge, while organi-zations
may use the special group
plan.
For further information, call the
University at HO. 3-1161.
Page 4 UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM NEWS September, 1959
BEGIN HISTORY OF LOCAL JEWRY
(Photo on Page One)
Do you have or know of any ma-terial
tracing the growth of the Los
Angeles Jewish community? If so,
please contact Rabbi Max Vorspan,
registrar at the University of Juda-
Rabbi Vorspan is now at work as
research director for a history of
Los Angeles Jewry which is sched-uled
for completion by 1961, and he
will appreciate information on any
material — documents, paintings, pho-tographs,
diaries, old newspapers, etc.
— to help further the project.
It is part of a nationwide study of
diverse communities by the American
Jewish History Center of the Jewish
Theological Seminary, and its pur-pose
is to interpret the impact of
Jud-iism on America and of America
upon the Jews.
The local study is sponsored by the
Southern California Jewish Historical
Society and the Los Angeles Jewish
Federation-Council. Sponsoring com-mittee
chairman is Justin G. Turner,
who is also chairman of the Uni-versity's
board of governors.
Co-directors of the national study
are Dr. Moshe Davis, provost of the
Seminary, and Dr. Allan Nevins,
noted historian who has twice won
the Pulitzer Prize and is senior re-search
scholar at the Huntington
Library. Joining them as editors of
the history series is Dr. Salo W.
Baron, professor of history at Colum-bia
University.
(Our new board member, Publisher
Joseph J. Cummins of the B'nai B'rith
Messenger, is cooperating with Rabbi
Vorspan hy turning over the files of
his 62-year-old weekly newspaper.)
FUTURE LEADERS - Rabbi Yosef Miller lectures on the Bible and
Jewish history to students training as club leaders and camp counsellors
in the University's Institute of Jewish Communal Service.
MRS. MAURICE TURNER, University vice-chairman,
and Mrs. Albert Wein display water
color by Richards Ruben. It appeared in the
"Award Winner's Exhibit 1959," along with
prize entries from painters Evelyn Kane and
Martin Lubner, as well as sculptors Miki Benoff
and Albert Wein.
ART SHOWS, OPERA & MUSICAL
SPONSORED DURING PAST TERM
Further appreciation of Jewish art, music and theatre
was fostered in the community during the past semester,
thanks to the University's cultural presentations.
The museum and art committee, led by Mrs. Maurice
Turner, sponsored a month-long invitational exhibit in
Feb.-March for local sculptors and painters in the
school's new art gallery. Artists selected as best in the
show had their works featured at the "Award Winner's
Exhibit 1959" in May-June.
The music committee, headed by Edward Robbins,
arranged for the West Coast premiere in Feb. of
"Chelm," a new comic opera under the direction of
Maurice Goldman, while the theatre arts committee, led
by Mrs. Samuel P. Shapiro, sponsored the world premiere
in May of "Twice Upon a Time," a musical play by
Peretz Hirshbein.
Benjamin Zemach staged both productions, which
featured professional casts, and Moi Solotaroff created
the colorful sets and designs.
Other exhibits and productions are planned for the
coming year in line with the University's continuing
goal to help stimulate Jewish creativity in all the arts,
and a new Theatre Workshop has been opened for
semi-professional and professional performers.
THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT, headed by
dance and drama director Benjamin Zemach
(left), will hold classes Tues. and Thurs, nights,
while music director Maurice Goldman (right)
will rehearse the University Choral Group and
lead a class in the Appreciation of Jewish Mu-sic
on Tuesday nights.
UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM 6525 SUNSET BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES 28, CALIF.
U. S. POSTAGE
Non-Profit Org.
PAID
Los Angeles, Calif.
Permit No. 14759
OLD WORLD wedding party is recreated in University's recent production of "Twice Upon
a Time," with Corey Allen (encircled by dancing guests) and Patricia Powell (seated in
white) as newlyweds (See above for news of new Theatre Workshop.)

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Transcript

UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM
west coast branch of the Jewish theological seminary of america
6525 sunset Blvd., los angeles 28, California, Hollywood 3-1161
N E W S
September, 1959
Volume 11, No. 1
SAMUEL A FRYER
UNIVERSITY HONORS SAMUEL FRYER
Dr. Simon Greenberg, University president, and Samuel A. Fryer
stand alongside plaque placed March 8 on front of the University
of Judaism, signifying that the building has been named for the
noted philanthropist. At a testimonial dinner in Fryers honor later
that evening, Dr. Greenberg said that "Fryer's munificent gifts to
the University and other institutions of higher learning have set
him in the company of those philanthropists extraordinary to whom
mankind remains forever indebted."
CLASSROOMS AIR-CONDITIONED BY SAMUEL FRYER
AWAIT UNIV. STUDENTS SEPT. 21 FOR FALL TERM
Thanks to the generosity of Samuel
A. Fryer, the air-conditioning of class-rooms,
library and auditorium have
been completed in the Fryer Building
of the University in time for opening
of the Fall term on Sept. 21, with
registration slated for Sept. 14-17.
Dr. Samuel Dinin, dean, noted that
the academic center will begin its
13th year of service to the community
with the majority of classes held in
its ten-story building at 6525 Sunset
Blvd.
At the same time, a minimum en-rollment
of 1,000 students is ex-pected
for the Fall term by Rabbi
Vorspan, registrar, and Mrs. Irwin A.
Reiss, associate registrar.
Among the more than 80 classes to
be featured during the new semester
will be a variety of "popular" courses
for adults each Monday and Wednes-day
evening and Tuesday and Thurs-day
morning.
The curriculum will range from
Bible, Talmud, Yiddish, Hebrew and
Jewish history to current events,
philosophy, literature, group work,
music, drama, dance, arts and crafts.
HADASSAH classes for the Beverly
Hills chapter will be held Monday
afternoons in the new Sinai Temple,
10400 Wilshire Blvd., and for the
L. A. chapter each Wednesday morn-ing
in Temple Beth Am, 1027 S. La
Cienega Blvd.
NATIONAL WOMEN'S LEAGUE
of the United Synagogue will hold
sessions each Thursday morning in
the University, while extension classes
will meet in the VALLEY JEWISH
FALL TERM OPENS
MONDAY, SEPT. 21
REGISTRATION
Sept. 14 and 16
7 to 10 p.m.
and
Sept. 15 and 17
9 a.m. to noon
in the University
6525 Sunset Blvd.
FOR CURRICULUM
and information
CALL HO. 3-1161
COMMUNITY CENTER on Tuesday
mornings and evenings.
Other divisions of the University
will also open this month.
THE INSTITUTE OF JEWISH
COMMUNAL SERVICE, with Louis
Shub as director, will begin its fifth
year of training young people, aged
15 to 18, as future camp counsel-lors
and club leaders.
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE,
led by Dr. David Lieber as dean of
students, will help meet the urgent
need for Jewish weekday school in-structors.
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, with
Dr. Jacob Kohn as dean, will feature
courses leading to degrees in philos-ophy,
Hebrew literature, Jewish the-ology
and religious education.
(See page four for information on
new Theatre Workshop.)
$2,500,000 ENDOWMENT FUND IS
NEEDED FOR UNIV. DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Simon Greenberg, president of the University of Judaism,
opened "Volume Two" of its growth as West Coast branch of the
Jewish Theological Seminary by calling for a new development
program which will include a $2,500,000 endowment fund.
In an address to key officials and supporters at the July 16
dinner meeting in the Beverly Hilton, Dr. Greenberg pointed out
that the University is now twelve
years old and entering the "Bar
Mitzvah" or "Coming of Age" phase
of its development.
"Volume One' of the academic
center began, he said, when it was
founded in 1947 and housed in a
portion of the old Sinai Temple. Also
covered in the initial history are the
years of careful preparation, explora-tion
and experimentation in our
second home on Ardmore Ave. and
the move in 1957 to the present ten-story
building on Sunset Blvd.
"Now we start on our second vol-ume,
which shall be the story of a
spiritual superstructure," he said.
Growing Community Acceptance
Dr. Greenberg noted that the thou-sands
of students who have come
to the University and the many
friends who have made its work pos-sible
"give us the assurance that we
are filling not only a need that exists
but one whose presence and urgency
is being understood by the commun-ity
in ever-increasing number.
In calling for a minimum $2,500,000
endowment fund, he stressed that
"we must think in terms of an op-erating
budget of approximately
$300,000 a year, and if the Uni-versity
is to be grounded solidly it
must have at least 30 to 35 per cent
of its income from endowments."
(More about dinner on page 3.)
NEWLY-ELECTED Lewis E. Pen-nish,
executive committee chairman,
chats with Milton Sperling, chairman
of board of overseers. (See page 3.)
GOAL OF UNIVERSITY
"A University is not only a
channel for the transmission of
the past; it is the meeting ground
of scholars, poets, artists and
men of affairs whose concern is
the totality of life and in the
crucible of whose thoughts are
forged the new insight, ideals,
codes, goals and aspirations of
the future.
"This is what the University
of Judaism is determined to be
and with God's help, shall."
—Dr. Simon Greenberg,
LAUNCH HISTORY PROJECT - Working on history of the Los Angeles
Jewish community arc historian Dr. Allan Nevins, Justin G. Turner, chair-man
of University's board of governors; Dr. Moshe Davis, provost of the
Seminary, and Rabbi Max Vorspan, registrar. (Details on page 4.)
• Page 2 UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM NEWS September, 1959
UNIVERSITY GRADUATES LARGEST CLASS AT JUNE 23 CEREMONIES
PRINCIPALS at June 23 commencement exercises included (seated from
left) Milton Sperling, Mrs. Norman Chandler, Dr. Simon Greenberg,
Dr. Joseph Kaplan, Mrs. Mildred Allenberg and Dr. Samuel Dinin, plus
(standing from left) Justin G. Turner, Dr. Jacob Kohn, Harry Maizlish,
Lewis E. Pennish, Matthew Berman, Mrs. Irwin A. Reiss and Ely Elias.
HONOR MRS. NORMAN CHANDLER, DR. JOSEPH
KAPLAN, MILDRED ALLENBERG AND ELY ELIAS
TEACHERS INSTITUTE graduates includes (top row from left) Ehud
Gilad, Ezra Cohen-Sitt, Joshua Bergman, Asher Goldberger and Abraham
Lifshitz, with Dr. Samuel Dinin, University dean, at right. Seated from
left are Dr. David Lieber, dean of students for the Teachers Institute,
and graduates Ciporah Berger, Ora Ksienski, Deborah Lea Bufman,
Sonya Abramowitz and Judith Esh. Not in photo are T.I. graduates
Eve BeTinuii, Leo Kreinger and Mordecai Shamir. r- r
* * «• t 4 *
CLASS PHOTO for the University's Institute of Jewish Studies includes
(standing from left) Rabbi Max Vorspan, registrar, with graduates Leonard
Kratish, Max Pavin, Sylvia Karp, Pauline Ledeen, Betty Margolis, Robert
Arnold, and Louis Shub, school librarian and director of its Institute of
Jewish Communal Service. Seated from left are Sylvia Bazes, Sara Ruben,
Rose Goldhaar, Bernice Birnbaum, Sarah Friend and Adrienne Slater.
Not in photo are Estelle Nadler, Howard Small, Marty Cooper, Jane
Galvan and Byron Kohn, who also received diplomas.
The University of Judaism last
June 23 brought together nationally-known
leaders in education, religion,
journalism, science and the arts for
the academic center's most impressive
commencement exercises (luring its
12-year history as West Coast branch
of the Jewish Theological Seminary
of America.
At the same time, Dr. Simon
Greenberg, president, conferred de-grees
and diplomas on 31 students
who comprise the University's ninth
and largest graduating class to date.
They were presented by Dr. Samuel
Dinin, dean, while Milton Sperling,
chairman of the University's board of
overseers, was chairman of the eve-ning.
The ceremonies were held in the
University auditorium, where Rabbi
Greenberg conferred honorary doctor
of human letter degrees on Mrs.
Norman Chandler, noted community
leader and director of public service
for the Times-Mirror Co., and on
Dr. Joseph Kaplan, chairman of the
United States committee for the In-ternational
Geophysical Year and
UCLA professor of physics and geo-physics.
In addition, distinguished service
awards were presented to Mrs. Mil-dred
Allenberg, University vice-chair-man,
and Ely Elias, its financial sec-retary.
Harry Maizlish, recording secretary,
acted as marshal! for the commence-ment
ceremonies, and was chairman
of the commencement dinner and
program.
Also featured
was the presenta-tion
of a degree
of Doctor of He-brew
Letters to
Joseph Salomon
of the Graduate
School, who for
many years has
b e e n b o t h a
teacher of He-brew
and a schol-ar
at the Uni-
SALOMON
versity.
Mrs. Chandler's citation was pre-sented
by Maizlish, while her spon-sors
were Justin G. Turner, chairman
of the board of governors, and Dr.
Jacob Kohn, dean of the Graduate
School. Dr. Kaplan was presented by
Lewis E. Pennish, executive commit-tee
chairman, and sponsored by Mrs.
Irwin A. Reiss, associate registrar, and
Matthew Berman, vice-chairman.
Rabbi Max Vorspan, school regis-trar,
presented Elias, and Mrs. Allen-berg
was presented by Dr. Dinin.
Original music composed especially
for the occasion by Dimitri Tiomkin
and Paul Francis Webster was di-rected
by Johnny Green. The program
opened with the invocation by Rabbi
Ben Zion Bergman and closed with
the singing of "Adon Olam," led by
Maurice Goldman.
September, 1959 UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM NEWS Page 3
VICE-CHAIRMEN on the University board include Matthew Berman,
Ben Swig of San Francisco, Ben Platt and Theodore Strimling.
KEY OFFICIALS include Dore Schary, honorary chairman; Isadore
Familian, vice-chairman; Isadore Levine, treasurer; Cyrus Levinthal, sec-retary;
Charles Brown and Julius Fligelman, who helped found the Univ.
UNIVERSITY'S NEW BOARD OF OVERSEERS LED BY
MILTON SPERLING, LEWIS E. PENNISH, DORY SCHARY
Los Angeles' top Jewish leaders are
included in the impressive slate
elected to the University of Judaism's
board of overseers at the July 16th
annual dinner meeting in the Beverly
Hilton.
Milton Sperling will be chairman
for a seventh term, aided by Lewis
E. Pennish as the next executive com-mittee
chairman, while Dore Schary
was returned as honorary chairman.
Justin G. Turner remains as chairman
of the board of governors.
Matthew Berman was newly-elected
as vice-chairman of the board
of overseers. His fellow vice-chair-men
are Mrs. Mildred Allenberg, Isa-dore
Familian, Ben Platt, Theodore
Strimling, Ben Swig of San Fran-cisco
and Mrs. Maurice Turner.
Other officials are Cyrus Levinthal,
secretary; Isadore Levine, treasurer;
Harry Maizlish, recording secretary;
Ely Elias, financial secretary, and
Maury Leibovitz, associate treasurer,
of the University.
Herman Brickman and Benjamin
Seewack are new members of the
executive committee, which includes
Charles Brown, Julius Fligelman,
Harry Friedman, Samuel Fryer, Harry
Jaffe, Hyman Kaplan, Ben J. Lax,
Milan Roven, Louis B. Silver, Abra-ham
Spiegel, Arthur N. Whizin, Allen
Ziegler and Harold Ziff.
Newly elected to the University's
board of overseers were John Biren,
Joseph J. Cummins, Nat Lazar, Moe
Kudler, Herbert Glaser and Mrs.
Anna Gourrich.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE members include Benjamin Seewack, newly-elected;
Harry Friedman, Ben Lax, Louis B. Silver, Arthur Whizin and
Allen Zeigler. (Photos of our members were not available at press time.)
Mourn Passing of Hyman Levine & Irwin Reiss
The University's board of over-seers
marks with deep sorrow the
July 6 passing of Mr. Hyman Le-vine,
76, and the passing on Aug.
18 of Mr. Irwin A. Reiss.
Mr. Reiss was a fellow board
member since the University's in-ception
and the beloved husband
of our associate registrar, Ayola
Reiss, while Mr. Levine was the
dear father of our treasurer, Isa-dore
Levine, and a leader of many
institutions and philanthropies.
He was also a benefactor of the
University and, through the Hy-man
Levine Family Foundation,
had donated a classroom to our
new building before his illness.
DR. MOSHE DAVIS NAMES
"CRITICAL DEFICITS"
A surprise guest speaker at the
annual dinner was Dr. Moshe Davis,
provost of the Seminary, who came
from New York to address the B'nai
B'rith regional convention.
Pointing out that "lack of teachers
and leadership in the American Jew-ish
community is one of its most
critical deficits," Dr. Davis said that
"this is a crisis which can only be
met through the training made pos-sible
by institutions like the Uni-versity
of Judaism."
DR. SAMUEL OININ LECTURES
AT SEMINARY IN NEW YORK
The shortage of teachers was also
emphasized at the board meeting
with the observation that, for years,
the Seminary has sent key faculty
members as guest lecturers to the
University — but this summer the
trend was reversed when the special
knowledge of our dean, Dr. Samuel
Dinin, was much needed in the East.
All during July, Dr. Dinin taught
a seminar in the "Curriculum of the
Jewish School" at the Seminary's
Teachers Institute for principals and
educational directors from all over
the country.
At the same time, Dr. Dinin visited
Ramah camps in the East to observe
and evaluate the educational pro-grams,
which are under the super-vision
of the Seminary's Teachers In-stitute
and the University of Judaism.
MEET SAUL RUBIN
Appointment of Saul Rubin, 38, as
director of the University's new de-velopment
program was announced
by Dr. Simon Greenberg at the
board's annual dinner meeting.
The grandson
of Chaim Behr
Avrum Levine,
late Chasidic
Rabbi of Vilna,
Rubin was born
in New York City
and graduated
with honors from
William and Mary
College, where he
was a l s o t h e
Southern conference intercollegiate
diving champion.
During World War II, he served in
the Air Force as lead combat naviga-tor
for three years. Wounded on his
45th mission, he won five battle stars,
the Air Medal with seven oak leaf
clusters, the Distinguished Flying
Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Sil-ver
Star for "gallantry in action."
Prior to his newest affiliation, Rubin
was a radio writer and vice-president
of the public relations and fund-raising
counselling firm, Synagogue
Services of America, and had person-ally
conducted over 80 campaigns for
synagogues, Jewish centers, Yeshivas
and hospitals throughout the United
States and Canada.
'U" ATHLETIC CLUB SWIMMERS NAT'L CHAMPIONS
NEW OFFICIALS include Herman Brickman, executive committee, and
board members John Biren, Moe Kudler, Herbert Glaser and Joseph ].
Cummins, publisher of the B'nai B'rith Messenger.
CHAMPIONS ALL - From left are
Misses Sidney Wallin, Barbara Burke,
Joanne Shaack, Mary Ellerman and
All American Betty Vickers.
The adjoining lovely members of
our University Athletic Club now
hold the United States Championship
in the American National Outdoor
Synchronized Swimming meet held
Aug. 8 in Detroit.
Betty Vickers, All American, took
first place in both stunt and solo
competition and the team, coached
by Mrs. Lillian MacKeller, has been
selected to represent the U. S. in the
coming Pan American Games, with
Mrs. MacKeller as the official coach
for the games.
CLUB OPEN TO PUBLIC
The famed health-building facili-ties
of our Athletic Club are now
available to the public at new low
rates. An exclusive family plan en-titles
privileges to wives and children
without extra charge, while organi-zations
may use the special group
plan.
For further information, call the
University at HO. 3-1161.
Page 4 UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM NEWS September, 1959
BEGIN HISTORY OF LOCAL JEWRY
(Photo on Page One)
Do you have or know of any ma-terial
tracing the growth of the Los
Angeles Jewish community? If so,
please contact Rabbi Max Vorspan,
registrar at the University of Juda-
Rabbi Vorspan is now at work as
research director for a history of
Los Angeles Jewry which is sched-uled
for completion by 1961, and he
will appreciate information on any
material — documents, paintings, pho-tographs,
diaries, old newspapers, etc.
— to help further the project.
It is part of a nationwide study of
diverse communities by the American
Jewish History Center of the Jewish
Theological Seminary, and its pur-pose
is to interpret the impact of
Jud-iism on America and of America
upon the Jews.
The local study is sponsored by the
Southern California Jewish Historical
Society and the Los Angeles Jewish
Federation-Council. Sponsoring com-mittee
chairman is Justin G. Turner,
who is also chairman of the Uni-versity's
board of governors.
Co-directors of the national study
are Dr. Moshe Davis, provost of the
Seminary, and Dr. Allan Nevins,
noted historian who has twice won
the Pulitzer Prize and is senior re-search
scholar at the Huntington
Library. Joining them as editors of
the history series is Dr. Salo W.
Baron, professor of history at Colum-bia
University.
(Our new board member, Publisher
Joseph J. Cummins of the B'nai B'rith
Messenger, is cooperating with Rabbi
Vorspan hy turning over the files of
his 62-year-old weekly newspaper.)
FUTURE LEADERS - Rabbi Yosef Miller lectures on the Bible and
Jewish history to students training as club leaders and camp counsellors
in the University's Institute of Jewish Communal Service.
MRS. MAURICE TURNER, University vice-chairman,
and Mrs. Albert Wein display water
color by Richards Ruben. It appeared in the
"Award Winner's Exhibit 1959," along with
prize entries from painters Evelyn Kane and
Martin Lubner, as well as sculptors Miki Benoff
and Albert Wein.
ART SHOWS, OPERA & MUSICAL
SPONSORED DURING PAST TERM
Further appreciation of Jewish art, music and theatre
was fostered in the community during the past semester,
thanks to the University's cultural presentations.
The museum and art committee, led by Mrs. Maurice
Turner, sponsored a month-long invitational exhibit in
Feb.-March for local sculptors and painters in the
school's new art gallery. Artists selected as best in the
show had their works featured at the "Award Winner's
Exhibit 1959" in May-June.
The music committee, headed by Edward Robbins,
arranged for the West Coast premiere in Feb. of
"Chelm," a new comic opera under the direction of
Maurice Goldman, while the theatre arts committee, led
by Mrs. Samuel P. Shapiro, sponsored the world premiere
in May of "Twice Upon a Time," a musical play by
Peretz Hirshbein.
Benjamin Zemach staged both productions, which
featured professional casts, and Moi Solotaroff created
the colorful sets and designs.
Other exhibits and productions are planned for the
coming year in line with the University's continuing
goal to help stimulate Jewish creativity in all the arts,
and a new Theatre Workshop has been opened for
semi-professional and professional performers.
THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT, headed by
dance and drama director Benjamin Zemach
(left), will hold classes Tues. and Thurs, nights,
while music director Maurice Goldman (right)
will rehearse the University Choral Group and
lead a class in the Appreciation of Jewish Mu-sic
on Tuesday nights.
UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM 6525 SUNSET BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES 28, CALIF.
U. S. POSTAGE
Non-Profit Org.
PAID
Los Angeles, Calif.
Permit No. 14759
OLD WORLD wedding party is recreated in University's recent production of "Twice Upon
a Time," with Corey Allen (encircled by dancing guests) and Patricia Powell (seated in
white) as newlyweds (See above for news of new Theatre Workshop.)